TEACHER WORK SAMPLE / 489 SEMINAR SESSIONS
Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing. —Theodore Roosevelt
Fall 2024 Semester Dates/Times
Let your Mentor Teacher know you will not be at school on these days. Attendance at these sessions is mandatory as they are built into the days for the student teaching requirement.
The five sessions will be held in person at one of our WKU campus locations. All start times are Central Standard Time. The final session is the Job Fair that will take place in person at Green River Regional Education Cooperative, 230 Technology Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101. All regional campus students must travel to Bowling Green for the Job Fair.
August 23, 9:00-12:00 pm (CST) with 489 Instructors (classroom assignments will be provided by instructor)
August 23, 1:00-3:00 pm (CST) KY Center for School Safety presentation by Mr. Jon Akers (Held in Gary Ransdell Hall for the Bowling Green campus and regional campus locations which will be provided closer to the date.)
September 6, 9:00-12:00 pm (CST) with 489 Instructors (classroom assignments will be provided by instructor)
September 6, 1:00- 3:00 pm (CST) Guest Speaker TBA soon
September 20: 9:00-12:00 pm (CST) Trauma-Informed Practices and Social Emotional Learning Strategies presentation by Dr. Christy Bryce, Behavior Content Specialist
September 20: 1:00- 3:00 pm (CST) Guest Speaker TBA soon
October 18, 9:00-12:00 pm (CST) with 489 Instructors (classroom assignments will be provided by instructor)
October 18, 1:00- 3:00 pm (CST) Guest Speaker TBA soon
November 1: 8:45-12:00 pm (CST) Job Fair at Green River Regional Education Cooperative, 230 Technology Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101. The afternoon on this day is open for the student teachers.
Each student teacher will complete a Teacher Work Sample (TWS) as part of the EDU or SMED 489 course. Student teachers should contact their EDU or SMED 489 instructor for questions regarding the TWS.
The TWS is usually completed during the first 8 weeks of student teaching, but this may be adapted as needed. Instructors will consider this on a case-by-case basis, as needed.
Please note, if the EDU or SMED 489 instructor chooses to have the student teacher complete the Teacher Work Sample later in the semester, that is acceptable. Each EDU or SMED 489 instructor may choose the timing of turning in this assignment.
The TWS, a performance-based assessment tool, is an important state requirement that must be successfully completed with a score of Level 2 or above, prior to applying for certification in Kentucky.
Student teachers who do not successfully fulfill this requirement will not pass student teaching, even if the student teacher earns a passing grade in the student teaching placement.
Student Teaching Seminar Instructors will guide the student teachers in creating a unit of study between 5 and 10 days in length.
One lesson from the TWS must be observed by the university supervisor or mentor teacher following the timeline of the TWS development and the mentor teacher’s schedule.
Teacher Work Sample Information (You will receive more guidance from your 489 instructors.)
Questions relating to the TWS or any of the Student Teacher Seminars should be directed to the EDU or SMED 489 Instructor.
Student Teachers will attend Student Teaching Seminar Sessions on Campus during the student teaching experience. During some of these sessions, the TWS instructor will support the student teacher on the TWS.
Parking:
Information about Visitor Parking for the Student Teaching Seminars may be found on the WKU Parking site. Student Teachers will need to purchase a $2 parking pass or park at the South Campus for free and ride the bus to the main campus.